On Towing a trailer with the 2014 Forester.
Previous models (2013, 2012 etc) were rated at 2400 pounds.
The 2014 is rated at 1500 pounds. And even that would be a lot to tow behind the X model because it has no transmission control.
The 2.0XT turbo model would be a better choice with its paddle shifters, though the turbo engine would be boosted most of the time when towing which isn't particularly desirable.
The lack of paddle shifters on the 2.5X of course means the Forester is a not a good choice for anything other than infrequent, light towing. People who tow know that transmission control is key to their safety and vehicle performance - whether slowing on a downgrade, accelerating up a hill, or pulling a boat up a steep ramp for example. In a side wind or bumpy road with the trailer swaying, the experienced tower doesn't want to just hit the brakes, instead they know to gradually downshift to maintain stability and safely control the trailer and vehicle. The computer managed Low mode is the only choice the driver has other than Drive, and Low mode simply doesn't give the driver any transmission choices.

That's the article I saw online too. Not good news for me. I've enjoyed my 2009 Forester, but need something with more towing capacity. Don't understand why Nissan's new Mallfinder based on an Altima can tow 5,000 lbs with a CVT but the Subie has to settle for less next year. They made the 2014 Forester look more masculine; give us a platform and drivetrain to back it up.

I'll be surprised if the new "1,500 lb" tow rating is a mis-translation. 1,500 kg roughly ranslates to 3,300 lbs (on Earth). By comparison, the 2013 Outback 3.6R equipped with the 3.6 flat-six and the 5AT is rated for 3,000 lbs.

1500 lbs... this cannot be true of the 2014 forester with the manual transmission... Has anyone heard what it is rated for... A manual transmission is still my choice for towing, and why I bought a manual 2011.

1500 lbs... this cannot be true of the 2014 forester with the manual transmission... Has anyone heard what it is rated for... A manual transmission is still my choice for towing, and why I bought a manual 2011.

Same here, engine breaking with downshift is life saving. I hate towing with an auto... They never know what gear to be in!

I've towed 5000lbs in my Foz. God she's slow but she does it... never far though, that'd just be dangerous.

I would have to think that the towing limit on the 2014 will be 1500 kg. All of the automakers right now are trying to provide "do everything" SUVs and I don't think that Subaru would hamstring itself by dropping the tow capacity to 1500 lbs. Besides, for fuel economy, they have been replacing the 4EAT in the Impreza and Outback with a CVT. Don't know what an Imp will tow, but 2700 lbs is still the norm for the Outback with the CVT and 2.5 L engine. We have an '11 OB and it tows our little (5 X 8) utility trailer just fine.